Are we talking about the same thing? That little light below the numeral '7' on the Queens Surface RTS?

I would think the function of a retarder light would be similar to brake lights on the rear of the vehicle, to warn following traffic of slowing down....

We are talking about the same light. It indicates whether the retarder power is on or off. A dispatcher sees the light and tells you to turn the retarder on.

On the back of the TMC RTS there were retards applied lights. Those would be 2 amber round lights to the left and right of the 3rd or center brake light on the a/c cover. Those would flash when the drivers foot let the accelerator pedal fully up and the brake pedal was not applied. They were being removed and the hole filled once MTABC came about, not sure if they are on the museum buses and if they work.

Interesting...thanks for that explanation. It shows how really little I know of transit bus operations.
It seems bizarre to me that a dispatcher should tell a driver to turn on the retarder....why not just have the bus built to always have it on, if that's their practice?

We have either retarder's or engine brakes on our coaches, but it is strictly up to the driver's discretion in their use...especially in icy roads conditions...

Interesting...thanks for that explanation. It shows how really little I know of transit bus operations.
It seems bizarre to me that a dispatcher should tell a driver to turn on the retarder....why not just have the bus built to always have it on, if that's their practice?

We have either retarder's or engine brakes on our coaches, but it is strictly up to the driver's discretion in their use...especially in icy roads conditions...

And with traction control and ABS you shouldn't need to turn it off. The RTS had neither.

Interesting...thanks for that explanation. It shows how really little I know of transit bus operations.
It seems bizarre to me that a dispatcher should tell a driver to turn on the retarder....why not just have the bus built to always have it on, if that's their practice?

We have either retarder's or engine brakes on our coaches, but it is strictly up to the driver's discretion in their use...especially in icy roads conditions...

And with traction control and ABS you shouldn't need to turn it off. The RTS had neither.

Good point....
Another reason for turning it off, is to give passenger's a smoother ride, and also in the case of engine brakes, to make less noise when traveling thru city streets, especially small towns late at night...
I only use them when descending longer hills....

Lol, I didn't catch the first time looking at the book. I was more interested in finding if the Command RTS CNG bus #4904 was in the book.

Come one, you can't bait and dodge like that. Is 4904 in there?

The problem with that bus is to make it run and drive, they would need to replace the CNG tanks, very costly.

I went a couple of pages before this employee gave me the stink eye, so I was not able to see if it was indeed there.

However, a year ago an employee on Facebook gave this info:

Quote:

Okay this is for those who inquired about 4904.
Okay, so here is the scoop on this bus:
Seen here is a 1993-1994 TMC RTS T-80206 CNG. Unit # 4904. One of the first CNG Production RTS' that actually made it past 1 or 2 buses. 4904 is 1 of 2 Units that actually had an Computerized Engine. In other words, 1 of 2 prototypes that Required a Computer to diagnose Problems. All other units were Analog Engines. When this unit was retired, it was saved as a museum piece. With that being said, let me say this:
There are 1 of 3 mechanics still left at Spring Creek depot, Formerly Known as Command Bus Company, that is actually able to work on this bus. The last person to drive this bus was 1 of those 3 mechanics, who to say the least, loved this particular bus. He was assigned to take this bus to Grand Avenue Depot's Central Maintenance Facility to get some work done to it. The bus was DRIVEN to the CMF by the mechanic. The bus only needed new batteries and it started up like it's been running in service everyday. Only issue with the bus was an exhaust leak, which was easily fixable. After driving the bus for more than an hour, he said there was absolutely no flaws (besides the exhaust leak) with it. It drove like a dream. After dropping it off, he went on vacation. When he came back, the bus was BACK at Spring Creek. He went to see what was done to the bus and that's when he noticed the bus was taken apart and TOWED back to the depot, as it would not start and/or run. After trying to figure out what exactly was done to it for over a year, he gave up on it and now it sits it's fate in the very same spot you see it in now. What is going to happen to this bus in the future? I have no clue.
So there ya have it. Information for the inquiring minds out there who wanted to know and asked this question, including myself "what ever happened to that 4904??" There's your answer!!!!

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